Research · Large Cars

2016 Cadillac XTSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 2016 Cadillac XTS. Most complaints involve electrical system (7) and wheels (2). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
17–21mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
22
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2016 Cadillac XTS as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2016 – Jan 2025
  1. Electrical system7
  2. Wheels2
  3. Fuel/propulsion system2
  4. Seat belts2
  5. Steering1
  6. Suspension1
  7. Air bags1
  8. Power train1
  9. Engine1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each XTS model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2013103
201450
201514
201622
201724
20180
20196
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

7 reports
“Stabilitrak light comes on that also causes the engine light to come on. The vehicle self-accelerate while in park and did again when in drive. Can not tell you how fast the Rpm accelerated due to panic that the vehicle was self-accelerating but it didn’t last long. Really quick and it went back to normal idling. Vehicle is scheduled for inspection today 1/20/25 at Classic Cadillac Atlanta. No warnings were given, lights(stabiltrak) just came on. Also the suspension rides very low. It feels like there are no shocks either front or rear.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2025Steering, Suspension, Electrical systemODI 11637014

Wheels

2 reports
“I was forced onto the shoulder of the interstate by a vehicle that came into my lane. As I went onto the shoulder, I hit a pothole (there were several), and it split my factory rim in half, damaging my tire, also. It took me several days to find a reasonably priced replacement factory wheel as I could not afford $900 to replace one wheel that should have been able to withstand a pothole on the side of the road. I had to pay $215 for a wheel from a company in Wisconsin that had to ship it to me. and it is a used wheel that has a lot of curb rash, damages to it, so who knows how long it will withstand daily driving. I had to buy a new tire for $115 and wait for that to be shipped so I could pick up. Then I had to pay to have the tire put on the wheel and balanced. This also left me on the side of the road for four hours waiting for a tow truck which was very dangerous. Which my insurance only paid partial because of the distance that I was to my home. They charged me an additional $40 on top of what my car insurance paid them. All of this caused a lot of anxiety being on the side of an interstate waiting for a tow truck because my whole rim split in half. And the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2024WheelsODI 11597537

Fuel/propulsion system

2 reports
“when You fill up the car. gas leaks to the ground. I culd smell the fumes coming out of my home heater vents in My bedroom. I went to the garage and the fumes were very strong. I open both garage doors a nd the man door. then worried about a explosion,Gas water heater is in the garaaage. But I got into the car and drove it out to the driveway! I bought the used car from Cathedral city Lexus dealer. 5-9-2023. the filled up the car for Me and I smelled gas. I just assumed that the spilled some...5-19-2023 I filled it up again at Costco, and that night I smelled thee fumes.I took the car to the shop a they said it had to be replaced. We are now waiting for the new Gas tank to arrive. Aut shop Claims it can't be repaired. I can and will bring the old gas tank Home....for You inspection.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2023Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11528784
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars, Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XTS
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182821$2,950410
XTS AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
172620$3,100441
XTS AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
162318$4,300485
XTS Hearse
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650524
XTS Limo
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650524
  • XTS
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • XTS AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • XTS AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L, Turbo
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • XTS Hearse
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • XTS Limo
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Cadillac XTS 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Cadillac XTS 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 10295Vehicle 10294
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2016 XTS questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Cadillac XTS have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 9, 2026.

What are the most common 2016 Cadillac XTS problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (7), wheels (2), fuel/propulsion system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Cadillac XTS get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Cadillac XTS at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Cadillac XTS?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Cadillac XTS 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026